Seeing that Cai Xianās life is back on track, Jiang Laiās mission is half complete.
Of course, the threat still exists, and to truly relax, some issues still need to be resolved.
If it werenāt for Zhao Zhaozhao calling her late at night, Jiang Lai would almost forget this is a romantic drama novel.
Who suffers?
Of course, itās the female lead.
Kidnapped by Fu Lihan, kidnapped by Fu Lihanās enemies, kidnapped by Fu Lihanās parents, and kidnapped by Fu Lihanās fiancĆ©e.
With such rich kidnapping experience, she could write a book.
On a rainy night, the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows became blurred.
When Zhao Zhaozhao called Jiang Lai crying, there was thunder and lightning outside.
This night was obviously meant for trouble.
"Lai Lai, wooo... Open the door, Iām outside your door now, please save me."
Jiang Lai looked towards the door, calmly.
"Whatās wrong?"
"Fu Lihan is a devil, he wants to break my limbs so I can never leave him. Jiang Lai, heās about to find me, please shelter me for a few days, or Iām finished!"
The original protagonistās tragic life stemmed from this female lead, who was skilled in crying and shifting hatred.
The original protagonist later completely avoided the female lead, fearing that being involved with her would bring more disaster upon themselves.
But Jiang Lai is different; she is a truly good person and wouldnāt ignore such a beautiful woman seeking help on a rainy night.
As she opened the door, Zhao Zhaozhao rushed in and opened her arms to hug Jiang Lai, but Jiang Lai sidestepped, causing Zhaozhao to stumble and fall onto the entrance carpet.
Jiang Lai looked down at her.
"Sorry, my home is a bit slippery."
Zhao Zhaozhao looked up at her, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.
But quickly she hid all her emotions, standing up trembling and moving forward.
"Jiang Lai, youāre right. Fu Lihan is a devil. He doesnāt know how to love someone, cold-hearted and cold-faced."
Zhao Zhaozhao sat on the sofa, crying and shivering.
Autumn was here, and the evening was chilly, especially since Zhao Zhaozhao had been drenched in the rain for so long.
"Jiang Lai, please shelter me for a few days; Iāve nowhere else to go."
"What about your home?"
Zhao Zhaozhao lowered her head.
"Fu Lihan knows where my home is. Jiang Lai, you wouldnāt drive me away, would you?"
"Of course not, stay as long as you want, even for a lifetime."
"Thank you, thank you. I used to think youād never recognize me as a friend anymore, but now it seems youāre still the Jiang Lai from before, still my best friend!"
Jiang Lai was too lazy to watch her crying.
Looking at the time, Lu Zhixing should be arriving with dinner.
Just thinking about it, the doorbell rang. Lu Zhixing came in with food, glanced at the shoes at the entrance, then looked inside.
"Lai Lai, is there a guest?"
"Yes."
Seeing Zhao Zhaozhao curled up on the sofa wet, Lu Zhixing frowned slightly.
Zhao Zhaozhao curled up, her hair sticky against her face, eyes red, timidly glancing at Lu Zhixing and softly said.
"Hello, Mr. Lu, weāve met before...
Iām in some trouble, looking for a place to stay for a while."
Lu Zhixing didnāt speak, just nodded slightly, then handed Jiang Lai a package.
"Inside is your favorite ice cream, eat less, we will have dinner later."
"Thank you, brother."
In the kitchen, Lu Zhixing was busy cooking, Jiang Lai curled up on the sofa eating ice cream and watching TV.
Beside her, Zhao Zhaozhao felt transparent, as the siblings each went about their own business, getting along harmoniously like longtime family, ignoring her presence as a guest.
She bit her lip, looking at Jiang Lai.
So this is the life Jiang Lai has been living lately?
Looking at the surrounding decorations, delicate and luxurious, each unassuming piece was from a renowned creator.
Living alone in such a large house, doing nothing every day, enjoying a manās care peacefully, and this man was even her brother, wanting nothing from her.
Such a life of ease and convenience, Jiang Lai has had it for a long time.
Thinking of this, Zhao Zhaozhao herself didnāt realize that her eyes, looking at Jiang Lai, were already filled with jealousy.
Suddenly, Jiang Lai looked over, Zhao Zhaozhao hurriedly looked away, then donned a nervous, timid expression.
"Jiang Lai, Iām soaked through, can I take a shower here?"
"Yes, go ahead."
After Zhao Zhaozhao left, Little Buding puzzledly asked Jiang Lai.
"Why did you take in such a big trouble?"
"To wait for Fu Lihan to come hold me accountable."
"...Do you have such a quirk?"
Jiang Lai watched TV with a carefree expression.
"Iām reasonable; I usually donāt provoke unless Iām provoked first."
"Hmm, so before you hit someone, you let them slap you first?"
"Thatās the idea, but whether they can hit me depends on their skill."
Meals were ready, Lu Zhixing called out.
"Dinnerās ready."
At this moment, the bathroom door swung open, and amidst the mist, Zhao Zhaozhao emerged, hair down, wrapped in a towel, shy and nervous. Her back and chest exposed a large area of skin, under the towel, two white legs showed.
Zhao Zhaozhao nervously bit her lip, looking at Jiang Lai and Lu Zhixing in the kitchen.
"Iām sorry...I donāt have any clothes to change into, Jiang Lai, could you get me some dry clothes?"
"Sure."
With that, Jiang Lai turned around and went back to her room, leaving Zhao Zhaozhao and Lu Zhixing alone in the spacious living room.
Zhao Zhaozhao cautiously looked at the man before her, only to find that he kept his head down arranging the plates, not even looking at her.
"Mr. Lu...Iām sorry for bothering you, Iāll leave soon."
Lu Zhixing, without looking up, coldly said.
"When you leave doesnāt matter to me. No matter how long you stay, itās Jiang Laiās decision.
If she wants you to stay a year, itās fine.
If she wants you to leave now, I donāt care.
Know your place; acting like this in someone elseās home is very disrespectful and lacks self-respect."
Lu Zhixingās words were calm and flat, like a news anchor on TV, with no emotion.
Finally, he looked up, coldly into Zhao Zhaozhaoās eyes.
"I wonāt judge Jiang Laiās friendsā conduct, but if you have any intention to hurt Jiang Lai, youāll regret stepping through this door."
The tone was steady but full of intimidation.
Like a sharp blade hidden in the sheath, under the cultivated exterior lay ruthless edges.
Zhao Zhaozhao was frightened by his gaze, trembling slightly.
She bit her lip, suppressing her inner fear, whispered softly.
"Jiang Lai is my best friend, I would never hurt him, please rest assured, Mr. Lu."